The by-election in the sprawling federal electorate of Farrer has concluded with David Farley of One Nation declared the victor, marking a substantial departure from the seat's traditional political landscape. Preliminary results show Farley securing 57.3 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote against independent Michelle Milthorpe, who garnered 42.7 per cent. Farley also claimed a commanding 39.4 per cent of the primary vote, a figure that underscores the considerable support for his party in the region.
The outcome represents a seismic shift, particularly for the Liberal Party, which previously held Farrer as a safe seat. The election was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who vacated the seat in February following a leadership challenge. The Liberal candidate, Raissa Butkowski, received 12.3 per cent of the primary vote, a stark contrast to Ley's 43.4 per cent in the 2025 federal election. Ley herself has publicly stated the Liberal Party needs to "change or die" in the wake of the result.
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Other parties also saw varying results. The Nationals secured 9.8 per cent of the primary vote, with their candidate congratulating Farley and pledging to hold him accountable. The Greens and Legalise Cannabis parties each received 2.3 per cent, while minor parties like Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, Family First, and People First registered lower percentages. Notably, the Labor Party recorded 0.0 per cent of the primary vote.
The comprehensive results, detailing performance at each polling booth, are now available, offering a granular view of the electoral dynamics. While initial reports suggested a potential softening of One Nation's lead as votes from larger population centres were tallied, the final figures confirm a decisive win for Farley. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) noted that final declarations can sometimes be delayed, especially if results are close, due to the processing of postal votes. However, the margin in Farrer appears sufficient to avoid significant ambiguity.
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Farrer, an electorate comparable in size to Greece, has historically been a stronghold for the Coalition. Ley had held the seat since 2001. The by-election campaign saw various candidates vying for representation, including Milthorpe, a notable independent, and Butkowski, representing the Liberal Party. The surge in support for One Nation, as indicated by the Farrer result, suggests a potent engagement with voters who may have previously been disengaged.
